EGRC-8/2017/INF.8
Unofficial document for Expert Group on Resource Classification
Eighth Session, Geneva, 25-28 April 2017
Item 14: Case studies and testing of UNFC-2009
A GUIDANCE FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE
UNFC-2009 FOR MINERAL RESOURCES IN
FINLAND, NORWAY AND SWEDEN
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
An executive summary will not be written until after the public hearing.
2 INTRODUCTION
This document provides guidance on the use of the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil
Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 (UNFC-2009) (1) for Finland, Norway and Sweden. It
aims to facilitate:

Resource policy and strategy formulation

Government resource management

Industry business process management

Capital allocation
These are the applications for which the UNFC-2009 has been designed.
The guidance do not intend to change the UNFC-2009. If there is a conflict between this guidance and the
UNFC-2009 (including its generic specifications), the UNFC-2009 shall prevail.
It is a prerequisite for the understanding of these guidance to have read, or have ready access to the
UNFC-2009 (1) shown in principle in Figure 3.1.
Figure 3.1 UNFC-2009
The guidance also do not change the various regulatory requirements set by Governments or accounting
standard setters for reporting on extractive activities. Guidance is however provided on how to construct
EGRC-8/2017/INF.8
a UNFC inventory so that an inventory that complies with the regulated reporting requirements most
commonly used in the Finland, Norway and Sweden can be generated from it.
These guidance have been drafted in discussions between the Geological Surveys of Finland (GTK),
Norway (NGU) and Sweden (SGU), the Swedish Association of Mines, Minerals and Metal Producers
(SveMin), Norwegian Mineral Industry and Petronavit a.s. Liaison has been kept with and inspiration taken
from the Directorate of Mining of Norway, The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, The Finnish Mining
Association, Statoil and the many rich and excellent contributions provided by The Division of Sustainable
Energy of UNECE and the members of the UNECE Expert Group on Resource Classification. These latter
organizations have however not participated in the drafting of the guidance.
The team that has drafted the guidance has consisted of:










Kaj Lax, (SGU); Chairperson
Erika Ingvald (SGU)
Berndt Persson (SGU)
Kerstin Brinnen (SveMin)
Hannu Makkonen (GTK)
Janne Hokka (GTK)
Kari Aasly Aslaksen (NGU)
Tom Heldal (NGU)
Per Blystad (Petronavit a.s); Administrator
Sigurd Heiberg (Petronavit a.s); Administrator
2.1 DEFINITIONS
Asset
By asset we mean a legal right to perform extractive activities to which there is attached value. This value
will initially be in the form of information and later also in the form of permits, plants, equipment and
extraction capacity.
Competent Person
A Competent Person is one who has the ability to put skills, knowledge and experience into practice in
order to perform activities or a job in an effective and efficient manner for resource assessment,
classification, management and reporting.
Stakeholder
Stakeholders are those parties that may affect the decisions involved in moving a project from the
inception and early exploration phase through development, extraction and abandonment in an asset.
They are all potential users of the UNFC-2009 (1).
Government is always an important stakeholder and sometimes the initial holder of the assets.
Government stakeholders may include Parliament, depending on the importance of the asset decisions.
It does include the Inner State, including the Cabinet of Ministers. The Ministry of Finance and the ministry
holding the relevant extractive activity portfolio will normally be operating the legal and fiscal framework
conditions under which the activities take place and control the regulatory bodies. Other ministries may
be stakeholders on a routine basis, e.g. the ministries of environment, local affairs and foreign policy.
3
The regulatory bodies of the Outer State will be stakeholders, including local governments. The same
applies to the courts with competency for granting legal rights to assets and/or operations on them.
Asset owners with sufficient voting power to affect decisions will always be stakeholders.
There are “outside” public stakeholders with formal influence on decisions, including landowners with
property rights and land users with legal rights to determine the land use.
Public interest bodies with informal influence through political processes or other public activities are not
considered stakeholders here. The bodies they influence may be stakeholders.
Value at source
Value at source is the value that the commodities represents for the stakeholders taking a decision to
extract at the point of extraction after correcting market values for all costs, taxes, contractual charges
etc. This is the value that determines whether and to which extent there is a business case for extraction
that justifies the allocation of capital.
3 CATEGORIZING- AND CLASSIFYING PROJECTS
The UNFC classifies projects based on two sets of basic categories:
1. The degree of favorability of social and economic conditions in establishing the commercial
viability of the project – the E-categories.
2. The maturity of studies and commitments necessary to implement mining plans or development
projects – the F-categories. These extend from early exploration efforts before a deposit or an
accumulation has been confirmed to exist through to a project that is extracting and selling a
commodity and reflect standard value chain that distinguishes the various modes of operation.
A third set designates the level of confidence in the geological knowledge and potential recoverability of
the quantities – the G categories. They relate to quantification.
These categories are numbered where 1 is best. They combine to form classes identified by Arabic
numerals as seen by the boxes in Figure 3.1 where the box E1,F1,G1, or 1,1,1 for short is equivalent to
“proved reserves”, i.e. there are no contingencies in the economic and social domain blocking the
implementation of the project, it has been advanced to the mode where implementation or extraction
can take place and the quantities determined have a high degree of certainty that they will be reached or
exceeded.
The categories with subdivisions and recommended attributes are described below.
3.1 E-CATEGORIES
The E-categories and existing UNFC subdivisions are shown in Annex II p.12 of the UNFC definitions (1).
Categories E1 and E3 are defined with subcategories and are self explanatory. Category E2 is defined as
“Extraction and sale is expected to become economically viable in the foreseeable future”, where the
phrase “economically viable” encompasses economic (in the narrow sense) plus other relevant “market
conditions”, and includes consideration of prices, costs, legal/fiscal framework, environmental, social and
all other non-technical factors that could directly impact the viability of a development project.
EGRC-8/2017/INF.8
The category reflecting the least degree of favorability should be chosen unless the ensemble of issues
indicates that the likelihood of favorable considerations is lower than any of the individual categories
indicates. Then a category reflecting lower favorability than any of the individual categories assigned may
be used.
In order to serve the four purposes mentioned in the introduction, it is recommended to attach three
attributes to E21:
Attribute b (written E2b): Issues are yet to be resolved, but there is high probability of their resolution
evidenced by an active attempt to resolve all impediments (contingencies) with a high probability of
success, based on the characteristics of the project, previous history of similar projects in the area, or other
strong indications of success, within the foreseeable future.
Attribute c (written E2c): Issues are yet to be resolved, but:


There is an active attempt to resolve all impediments (contingencies) but with no more than a
medium probability of success; or,
There is no active effort to resolve impediments, but based on the characteristics of the project and
previous history of similar projects in the area, success is likely within the foreseeable future.
Attribute d (written E2d): Issues that cannot be influenced by stakeholders that are expected to be resolved
in the foreseeable future.
The manner in which these attributes are applied is governed by the need for information for the decision
process to determine whether a project is or can be made acceptable from a socio-economic point of
view.
The following considerations apply:
1. Value at source
2. Access to resources
3. Competition for land use
a. Environmental contingencies
b. Landowner interests
c. Local authority interests
3.1.1 Value at source
Category E2b can be used if the value of the sales product at source is nearly satisfactory to proceed with
the project. Processes are underway to improve it by seeking higher product prices, lower costs or
modification of the fiscal and contractual frameworks. Stakeholders with powers to block the projects are
seen to benefit from enhancing the value at source.
Category E2c can be used when stakeholders hold powers to enhance the value at source sufficiently for
the project to proceed, but will be negatively impacted by the enhancement and/or there is no activity to
resolve the issue.
Category E2d can be used when the value at source is dependent on conditions outside the control of the
stakeholders, e.g. global commodity markets, imposition of global or regional environmental costs etc.
Attributes1“b” and “c” correspond to the proposed subdivisions E2.1 and E2.2 in the Draft guidance on
accommodating environmental and social considerations in the United Nations Framework
Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 (24)
5
The conditions outside the control of stakeholders must have a reasonable chance of changing to produce
an acceptable value at source in the foreseeable future.
3.1.2 Access to resources
A licensor may consider it likely or not that it will grant access to resources with a defined extraction
project. If she does, she will assign category E2b to the project and if not, E2c or E3.2
An applicant for a license may be less certain that he will be awarded the license. He may then assign
category E2c or E3.2 to a category that the licensor will categorize as E2b.
The same logic will apply to the extension of licenses after their term expires.
3.1.3 Land use issues
There are a number of project contingencies related to the use and protection of land. These differ
between Finland, Norway and Sweden.
Land use is an area of conflicting interests that puts the government resource management on test. The
information in the UNFC-2009 classification enhances the transparency, which is of great importance to
governmental resource management planning.
According to environmental legislation in Finland, Norway and Sweden, land shall be used for the
purposes for which the areas are best suited in view of their nature and situation, of existing needs and
to secure long time sustainability. One instrument for planning land use that is applied (in slightly different
ways) in Finland, Norway and Sweden is to designate certain areas as being of national interest for a
certain purpose. Land containing deposits of “valuable materials and minerals” is one of the determined
interests that identifies a national interest. Areas containing mineral deposits of national interest are often
also designated to be of national interest for other purposes such as reindeer herding, environmental or
cultural values or for outdoor recreation. If it is impossible for the conflicting interests to co-exist, one of
the interests must be given precedence. It is important for all parties that this is resolved before
substantial investments are made. The project information in the UNFC-2009 classification can be of use
in land planning processes, to avoid unreasonable decisions which might hinder justified, effective and
sustainable exploration of mineral resources. It can avoid large expenditures on projects that cannot be
realized, not only by project participants but also by Government through the fiscal system.
3.1.3.1 Contingencies related to environmental protection
Mining in protected areas may or may not occur.
Category E2b can be used if the plans appear acceptable and an active process is underway to allow
mining.
Category E2c can be used if mining is possible, but somewhat less likely. This can be when mining needs
to take place in national parks, Natura 2000 areas, areas under landscape protectionand where a change
of legislation, or an administrative action by the cabinet of ministers or other distant authority (weighing
the mining plans against alternative use of the land), and where the stakeholders hold little influence and
consider the outcome uncertain.
Similar considerations apply to air and water emissions, where the degree of environmental impact plays
a role.
3.1.3.2 Contingencies related to landowner interests
Mineral legislations distinguish between state governed and landowner minerals. Geologically, the
minerals will either be entirely landowner minerals, state governed minerals or a combination of state
EGRC-8/2017/INF.8
and landowner minerals as the state minerals may occur in mineral assemblages that include landowner
minerals.
Landowners will always be involved in the process of securing physical access to the mining site and
sometimes the infrastructure. This holds true also for the use of land over which indigenous peoples (Sámi
and Skolt populations) have rights. These lands cover a high proportion of the prospective mineral areas
in Finland, Norway and Sweden.
If there is a process to resolve differences and align interests with a good chance of success, then category
E2b should be used.
If the landowner issues are complex or there is strong misalignment between the interests of the
landowners/indigenous peoples and those of explorers or miners, or the social resistance to mining is
strong among landowners/indigenous peoples, then category E2c should be used.
3.1.3.3 Local community interests
Irrespective of the contingencies mentioned above, the exploration and mining activities will need to be
considered by the local authorities with respect to land use on par with any other construction and land
use activity.
If there is a positive process with a reasonable chance of success in approving the construction and land
use issues, then category E2b should be used.
If the local community holds legal competence to approve or not the activities, there is no or very weak
alignment of interests between the local community and the mining interests and there is no process
ongoing to resolve the differences, then category E2c should be used.
3.2 F-CATEGORIES
The F-categories follow the mode of operation of extractive activities and coincide to a high degree with
the manner in which these are addressed in the mineral legislation and in capital value processes used in
industry as illustrated in Figure 4.4.1.
Many extractive activities are large engineering processes consisting of linked projects rather than single
well-defined projects. They may span decades over which important defining factors change, including
but not limited to legal and regulatory framework conditions, markets, labor conditions, environmental
limitations, technology, geological knowledge, and the composition of product streams. In order to
manage these processes well, attributes may be used to distinguish between an initial project and
subsequent modifications of the project to improve the extraction. Such attributes were introduced by
NPD in 2001 in the NPD Petroleum resource classification system (2) and proved to be useful for resource
management purposes. In the mineral sector there are quantities stored as non-sales production in
addition to quantities remaining in place after termination of the initial project that constitute a potential
for additional projects.
Two attributes are recommended (2):
Attribute “f”: First development project for a deposit. A project is identified with the attribute “f” (for
first) when it is the first development project for one or more deposits. The attribute is used with
categories F1.2, F1.3, F2.1 and F2.2. Projects with additional resources in new deposits in discoveries may
also be assigned the “f” attribute when inclusion of the resources will increase the minerals volumes in
place in the deposit.
7
Attribute “a”: Project to optimize the recovery from a deposit. A project is identified with the attribute
“a” (for additional) when the project lead to improved sales of quantities in place or of the quantities
categorized as non-sales quantities by a project with an attribute “f”. Attribute “a” is used with categories
F1.2, F1.3, F2.1, F2.2 and F3. The “a” attribute is also used to identify projects that can extend production
through increased value at source.
The “f” and “a” attributes are normally not used with category F1 where feasibility of extraction by a
defined mining operation has been confirmed. The projects identified with “a” attributes are normally
important real options to be invested in or not, and are managed as such. Once a decision to develop is
taken, the option has been exercised and focus is on the integrated project. Separate accounts to
distinguish the part of a project that originates from the first decision from the parts that originates from
subsequent ones is not required.
The project options may be independent or dependent of other projects. They may also be mutually
exclusive. These relationships are important for business process management. They must be properly
accounted for in aggregation to assess the resultant overall uncertainty and to avoid double counting.
In cases where the processing of material initially stored as non-sales production is not integrated with
the initial project, a separate project should be identified using the store of non-sales production as the
“in-place” resource.
3.3 G-CATEGORIES
The G categories reflect the uncertainties in the quantities assessed.
The recoverable quantities are estimated as those quantities that will cross the classification reference
points for sales and non-sales quantities in the future. They will need to be coherent i.e. exactly the same
in quantity, quality, price and time as the quantities reported to enter the economy in general statistics.
Quantities can be described either deterministically or probabilistically. The UNFC-2009 description is
generic:
EGRC-8/2017/INF.8
Table 4.3.1 Summary of the G-category descriptions
The generic expressions can be made quantitative by deterministic or probabilistic estimation.
1. Deterministic Estimate2
The term “deterministic estimate” is an estimate based on a single value for each parameter (from the
geoscience, engineering, or economic data) in the reserves calculation that is used in the reserves
estimation procedure. An advantage of the deterministic estimate is that there will generally be a physical
representation of a project with direct and indirect observations underlying it. A disadvantage is that the
2
The language describing deterministic and probabilistic estimates is inspired by SEC’s considerations (23).
9
probability of occurrence of this realization may be unknown, making it difficult if not impossible to
aggregate the estimates of a group of projects.
2. Probabilistic Estimate
A “probabilistic estimate” is an estimate that is obtained when the full range of values that could
reasonably occur from each unknown parameter (from the geoscience and engineering data as well as
the socio-economic parameters) is used to generate a full range of possible outcomes and their associated
probabilities of occurrence. Probabilistic estimates makes it possible to assess the value of flexibility in an
engineering system architectures. They are however not suitable for detailed engineering design work
that requires a spacial description of the resource. Values for the probability of exceeding the estimate
allow a probability density function to be estimated. This, facilitates aggregations to obtain estimates of
the total quantity and the aggregated uncertainty fora group of projects.
Cumulative probability density functions are commonly used in the petroleum sector and indexed as
follows:
G1: There is a 90% probability that the quantity quoted will be exceeded.
G1+G2: This represents the mean, i.e. the expected value of the distribution3.
G1+G2+G3: There is a 10% probability that the quoted quantity will be exceeded.
The manner in which quantities are estimated by preparers depends on the needs of the users. While
many users can relate to the E and F categories or aggregates of them, the methods for estimating
quantities varies, depending inter alia on the premises set by the users. Preparers may therefore wish to
prepare all the required estimates once they go through the underlying project information for speed and
efficiency. They should then identify which sets of premises they have used and may consider using
attributes on the G-categories to do so, e.g. G1Government, G1JORC, G1SEC, G1Management, G1Partner A etc.. Over time
and as UNFC becomes more widely applied, the number of alternative estimates required may hopefully
be reduced, but they are not likely to be eliminated completely.
Government specialists, academia, industry, consultants and the professional organizations, in particular
the families of organizations behind the CRIRSCO template and the SPE PRMS are relied upon to set the
commodity specific professional estimation procedures for quantifying the various commodities under
the geologic and extraction settings in which they occur. This represents a challenge that can be met by
drawing on the success of earlier initiatives of gathering information and experts of relevant organizations
and entities to research the critical issues. The traditional competent or qualified person system is
designed to instill quality in the estimation of quantities, while other expertise is required for the
classification.
3
In the petroleum sector, P50 is often used, reflecting that the probability of not reaching this quantity is equal to
the probability of exceeding it. In asymmetric probability distributions, P50 will differ from the
mean, and will, in contrast to the sum of the mean values not sum to the P50, let alone the mean
quantity for a group of projects. This is not a critical difference in most cases, considering the
errors normally encountered in the subjective estimations of probabilities underlying the
estimates.
EGRC-8/2017/INF.8
3.4 PROJECT CLASSIFICATION
The planning and building legislation
Zoning plan
Environmental legislation
Consultation
EIA
Application process
Environmental permit
Consultation
Environmental permit
Mining legislation
Application process
Environmental permit
Exploration permit
Exploitation permit
Industry operations
Exploration
Conceptual
study
Pre-feasibility
study
Feasibility
study
Pre-planning
and design
Construction
Operation
Mine closure
Monitoring
UNFC-2009 value chain
Exploration
project
E3, F3, G4
Potentially commercial project
E1, E2, E3, F1, F2, G1/G2/G3
Commercial project
E1, F1, G1/G2/G3
E3.1, F4
Figure 4.4.1 Schematic of value chains used in Government and industry (conceptual)
E3: Extraction and sale is not expected to
become socio-economically viable in the
foreseeable future, or evaluation is at too
early a stage to determine commercial
viability.
Legal right to produce and sell and/or
regulatory approval is not yet applied for.
Fiscal framework is not determined and
contractual conditions does not yet exist.
E3.1: Quantities that are forecast to be
extracted, but which will not be available for
sale.
E3.2: Socio-economic viability of extraction
cannot yet be determined due to insufficient
information (e.g. during the exploration
phase), or
Whether or not there is an active effort to
resolve impediments, the outcome is
unknown or unclarified.
E2: Extraction and sale is expected to
become socio-economically viable in the
foreseeable future.
Legal right to produce and sell and/or
regulatory approval is applied for but not yet
approved. Fiscal framework and contractual
conditions are negotiated but not yet
finalized.
E2.b: Issues are yet to be resolved, but there
is high probability of their resolution
evidenced by an active attempt to resolve all
impediments (contingencies) with a high
probability of success, based on the
characteristics of the project, previous
history of similar projects in the area, or
other strong indications of success, within
the foreseeable future.
E2.c: Issues are yet to be resolved, but: There
is an active attempt to resolve all
impediments (contingencies) but with no
more than a medium probability of success;
or;
There is no active effort to resolve
impediments,
but
based
on
the
characteristics of the project and previous
history of similar projects in the area, success
is likely within the foreseeable future.
E3.3: It is currently considered that there are
not reasonable prospects for socioeconomic viability in the foreseeable future.
E2d: Issues that cannot be influenced by
stakeholders that are expected to be
resolved in the foreseeable future.
Whether or not there is an active effort to
resolve impediments, the probability of
success is no greater then medium.
Table 4.4.1 Overview of the use of E-categories
11
E1: Extraction and sale has been confirmed
to be socio-economically viable.
A project is assessed as E1 if all necessary
permits and legal requirements are approved
or in place or will be in a foreseeable future.
E1.1: Extraction and sale is socioeconomically viable on the basis of current
market conditions and realistic assumptions
of future market conditions.
E1.2: Extraction and sale is not socioeconomically viable on the basis of current
market conditions and realistic assumptions
of future market conditions but is made
viable through government subsidies and/or
other considerations.
The E- and F- categories define the project class. The G-categories define the resource quantities in that
class. Figure 4.4.1 reflects this displaying the similarity between the F-categories and the decision gates
defined by legislation requiring permits and the decision gates commonly used in industry when shifting
from one mode of operation to the next, often deploying new capabilities and supply chain industries.
The UNFC rules and specifications do not encourage aggregation of quantities in different classes. If such
aggregation is required, then preparers and users should discuss whether and how to assign a probability
of success to projects that are not in class E1F1 (where the probability of success is 1.0). The project
quantities should be discounted in accordance with the probability of success when estimating the
aggregated quantities.
The E-categories are of special importance to the mining sector. They are summarized in Table 4.4.1
below.
4 APPROPRIATION
UNFC-2009 is a system for the classification of projects and does not address the issues of appropriation
i.e. who owns the extractive quantities. This is generally a question of how the cash flows are shared, and
depends on the fiscal and contractual conditions. This must be handled outside the classification, but in
conjunction with for instance partners’ financial reports.
Appropriation arises at the project level in circumstances where a commodity from one project is
transferred to another project and then recovered for sale and non-sale proposes. The principle used by
NPD in these cases is stated as follows in their definition of Resource Class 1 (the equivalent of E1F1.1):
“Volumes (i.e. quantities) that have been purchased and are expected to be sold at a later date shall not
be included. Petroleum that was received free of charge, or as compensation from another party and that
is expected to be sold at a later date, shall be included in this classification.”
When purchased quantities are being produced together with the indigenous project quantities, then
there is a need for an accounting procedure to assess the remaining project quantities. The most
reasonable convention is last in first out (LIFO). This reflects that the purchased quantities are acquired
and stored, while the indigenous quantities are uncertain resources to be extracted. LIFO will in practice
assign the uncertainty to the indigenous quantities.
5 VALUATION
Valuation may help determine the appropriate category to use for a project. Project values may be
observed from accounts in the case of past projects, from transaction or from forecasts of future cash
flows. Of these, valuation based on forecasts are the most complex, but also the most common.
The net present value (NPV) of future cash flows is a common measure of value. It can be written using
continuous variables:
∞
NPV= ∫𝑡=0(1 + 𝑟𝑐 )−𝑡 . v(t)dt
Where:
(1)
EGRC-8/2017/INF.8
rc is the continuously compounded discount factor4; and
v(t) is the rate of cash flow over time t.
Assuming that project owners are financed by institutions constituting a well-diversified capital market –
or can choose to be, the appropriate discount factor at which NPV is maximized for these institutions will
be low with little or no risk premium. The risk is instead accounted for assessing the values directly of
actual risk and opportunities arising from the uncertainties associated with the project (3).
Contingent projects can then be valued as follows:
NPVp=NPVs x Ps + NPVf x (1-Ps)
Where:
NPVp is the project value.
NPVs is the success value, i.e. the value given that the contingency is removed.
Ps is the probability that the contingency will be removed and the project will succeed.
NPVf the failure value, i.e. the value given that the contingency will eliminate the project. It will generally
be the negative value of the costs up to the abandonment of the project.
(1-Ps) is the probability that the project will fail.
If the value NPVp of the contingent project is satisfactory relative to for instance the net present value
that alternative use of funds will yield, it is reasonable to assume that activities to remove the
contingencies will proceed and the project can remain with the original category. If the sum is not positive
enough, then the project may have been assigned too high a category and should be considered for
degrading.
6 ACCOUNTING
The UNFC is complete in the sense that material balance is preserved when the classification is applied to
the extraction of non-renewable quantities. The quantities initially in place will equal the sum of the
quantities:
There is a one-to-one relation between the continuously compounded discount factor and discount
factors compounded over at fixed time periods, say annually. The formula for the NPV when discounted
over fixed periods is:
4
𝑉(𝑡)
NPV=∑𝑡1 (1+𝑟)𝑡
Where NPV is the net present value of forecasted cash flows;
t is the time period (say year);
V(t) is the value element (cost or revenue) in period t;
r is the discount factor per period t.
13






Extracted and sold
Extracted and not sold
To be extracted and sold in the future
To be extracted and not sold in the future
Not extracted due to project abandonment or non-realization
Remaining in place after extraction
Each partner will have changes in their portfolios of inventories reflecting acquisitions, divestments,
merger, and change in contractual terms and conditions etc. Accounting of these changes caused by
changes in appropriation and/or participating interests are not addressed here.
Quantities to be extracted or not are classified by the E- and F-categories. They will change class and
quantity from one period to the next as a result of operations, project maturation and new observations
and insight. The account can be constructed drawing on the logic of Design Structure Matrix Methods
(DSM) (4) applied in large engineering projects.
The quantities “Q” to be tracked for each product are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Sales production at the sales reference point
Non-sales production and the non-sales reference point
Expected value if not G1+G2
Probability of realization of the project
G1
G2
G3
and for exploration projects:
G4 or
G4.1
G4.2
G4.3
Chance of discovery of a minimum economic quantity
Minimum economic quantity
Additional G-category quantities required, see section 4.3
Figure 7-1 illustrates how the DSM account works. Here the word “quantity” is used for the ensemble of
quantities mentioned above.
A selection of projects are shown with their E and F classes for illustration. The UNFC holds more classes.
This is indicated by including “nn”s. Initial quantities are shown in the column next to the class name.
These are taken from the account of the previous period. The classes in the matrix are numbered for
convenience. The numbers are shown in the next column.
The same classes are used on the columns and are identified by the numbers just mentioned.
The quantities at the beginning of the accounting period are shown in the column to the left of the matrix.
Their input to classes by the end of the period is shown as “x” in the rows of the matrix (the input rows).
The quantities in the various classes at the end of the period then appears in the columns of the matrix
and their aggregated values in the row above the matrix.
EGRC-8/2017/INF.8
Output columns
Final
quantity x x x x
Class
Sales
Non-sales
E1F1.1
E3.1F1.1
nn
E1F2.1f
E3.1F2.1f
Input rows nn
E2F2.2a
E3.1F2.2a
nn
E3.3F2.2a
nn
E3.2F4.1
E3.2F4.2
x x
x
x
Initial
quantity class no
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16
1
2
3x
x
4
x
x
5
6x
x
7
x x x
8
9
x
10
x
11
12
14
15
x x
16
x
x
x
x
x
x
Figure 7-1 Presentation of UNFC accounts using a Design Structure Matrix methodology
In order to provide numbers by class at the end of the period, it is necessary to aggregate the quantities
in the columns (the output columns). Except for the measured quantities at the reference points (sales
and non-sales production) these are uncertain quantities. To aggregate them “correctly” requires an
estimate of their probability density functions, their dependencies and correlations as well as the use that
will made of the aggregated numbers. This subject is not covered in this guideline.
An estimate of mean (expected) values of the probability density functions is useful. This will normally
allow a simple arithmetic aggregation of the inventory. Depending on how the estimation of quantities is
done, the expected value may be the sum of the G1 and G2 quantities of the projects.
For public reporting purposes it is sometimes required to aggregate quantities in each class by simple
summation. The sum of the G1 estimates means normally summing the low estimates on the individual
probability density functions. As the portfolios over which these sums are made grows, these sums
become gradually irrelevant as they will fall below and outside the range of outcomes for the portfolio as
a whole (the probability that all projects go wrong becomes negligible).
7 APPLICATION
The preparation of UNFC -2009 inventories is governed by the needs for its application. Figure 6.1.1
summarizes the four principal needs that the UNFC is designed to meet and the sectors it will apply to.
7.1 RESOURCE POLICY FORMULATION
Resource policy formulation will generally need reliable numbers at high levels of aggregation. This
demands high quality in the estimates of expected values, as the law of large numbers will have reduced
the operational uncertainties. The quantities in the UNFC-2009 classes identify targets for improvement
through wise policy decisions. It will demand numbers for the effects of alternative policies as a basis for
15
the choices. This means quantification of supply and demand and of price elasticities. In other words the
dependencies and correlations between extractable quantities, general cost levels and general
commodity prices need to be estimated and kept at the underlying project level.
The manner in which UNFC-2009currently is evolving makes it an essential tool for the formulation of
resource policies and national strategies in the coming period of major reforms spurred by the UN
Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Accord of 2015. This stems from its basic design and
from its recent expansion from applying to fossil energy and mineral resources to energy and mineral
resources including injection projects and soon probably also projects for exploiting anthropogenic
resources and water projects.
Strategies and policies are built to gain future benefits and robustness against adverse effects of
unforeseen events over which there is little control. Their formulation is greatly assisted by using the
UNFC-2009 numbers.
Numbers of relevance for judging opportunities associated with increased commodity prices or reduced
general cost levels are identified by category E2d. Numbers of relevance for judging the risks associated
with decreased commodity prices or increased cost levels are not as visible. They would need to be
developed from the project information that the UNFC-2009 summarizes.
UNFC numbers are also relevant for a number of other needs in strategy formulation.
Figure 6.1-1 Applications of the UNFC-2009
The minerals strategy identifies five strategic objectives that are considered to be of particular importance
in order to reach the strategy’s vision.
EGRC-8/2017/INF.8
1. A mining and minerals industry in harmony with the environment, cultural values and other
business activities.
2. Dialogue and cooperation to promote innovation and growth.
3. Framework conditions and infrastructure for competitiveness and growth.
4. An innovative mining and minerals industry with an excellent knowledge base.
5. An internationally renowned, active and attractive mining and minerals industry
In nearly all of them, the UNFC-2009 numbers matter.
Mineral strategies and policies in Norway and Finland basically conform to the same overall objectives
and principles as the Swedish one.
7.2 GOVERNMENT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Government resource management consist inter alia of:








Setting the legal, fiscal and regulatory framework. This work requires careful analyses of the Ecategories of quantities to improve the prerequisites for efficient and responsible resource
exploitation.
Managing the sequence and tempo of activities in order to prepare and make full use of the
national infrastructure in an effort to enhance and protect the value at source. This demands not
only the full UNFC-2009 inventory, but also the underlying project information. An example of the
latter can be seen in the format of the reports that the Norwegian Government requests from the
petroleum sector (5).
Environmental management for which category E3.1 – future non-sales quantities - is essential.
The non-sales quantities, also often termed mine waste, or more positively, arisings are to an
increasing degree considered as resources, provided means can be found to turn them into useful
products. Without such efforts they may remain environmental burdens.
Identifying potentials that government actions can turn into value.
Managing industrial and labor relations
Revenue management
Knowledge building by exploration work that provides national capital through the accumulation
of quality information on the resource potentials and on the requirement for activities to secure
future needs.
Managing soft infrastructures – education, social investments etc.
7.3 INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT
For industrial business process management, the demand for information is similar to that for
Government resource management, but more detailed, particularly for contingent resources.
Industries need in general to keep close track of options for future developments, how they interact
physically to create synergies, how they fit industrial capabilities (i.e. competence and capacity), how they
impact financial capacities and credit ratings, how they impact share prices through key performance
indicators used by analysts such as annual production and sales, reserves replacement ratios etc. These
options may occur in the internal account as projects that may be independent, dependent, correlated or
mutually exclusive. While the classification holds these projects with their extractable quantities, it is
important to recognize that they are projects with underlying project descriptions that hold information
in addition to the extractable quantities that is necessary for managing the industrial business processes.
17
Depending on how options are managed, they may change character at too high a frequency for broad
communication. The information may be commercially sensitive.
Developing a mine is a time consuming process with very high development costs. For mining companies,
or companies that are trying to develop new mining projects, UNFC-2009 can be used as a communication
tool and to show transparency.
7.4 CAPITAL ALLOCATION
External funding of mining projects (and exploration) requires transparency of project information,
including identified uncertainties and potential risks. UNFC-2009 enables a compiled presentation of the
overall status of a planned mining project, displaying in what areas potential risks are.
The UNFC-2009 is built to help the allocation of financial resources. In its efforts to produce an
International Financial Reporting Standard for Extractive Activities, the International Financial Accounting
Board is in need of a classification that covers all extractive activities. UNFC-2009 is alone to be a
classification to meet this need. The traditional procedure adopted for public reporting of what in essence
is meant to be indicators of future revenues is to disclose estimates of total future sales quantities from
committed project (proved reserves) and to some extent a more uncertain estimate (proved plus probable
reserves), without detailed information on costs, risks or levels of appropriation of the cash flow to the
entity being financed. The UNFC-2009, including the project information underlying it, will hold more of
the complete information that investors normally need in making their decisions. It will in general only
hold project information. Capital is often allocated to asset holders and not projects. For this it is necessary
to address appropriation, which is not a subject of this document. The owners of UNFC-2009 information
are free to decide whether to disclose this information within the limitations set by regulation.
7.5 REGIONAL AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
The UNFC-2009 system can greatly facilitate the communication of projects related to national resources
to decision makers and others in a globally uniform and easily understandable manner.
The UNFC-2009 classification efforts aims to achieve a well-managed global resource base. It is a model
that is taking into account social, as well as economic and environmental sustainability. Thus it
communicates with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. A well-managed global resource base
contributes to a number of the individual goals, such as reducing poverty, economic growth, sustainable
industry, innovations and infrastructure, sustainable cities, sustainable consumption and production,
climate change as well as peaceful and including societies and global partnership where the industrial
activities, performed under the Government framework conditions play an essential role.
8 DISCLOSURE
Disclosure of information on extractable quantities is made at the discretion of the owner of the
information, subject to laws, regulations and contractual commitments.
Government reporting requirements may specify information for public disclosure and information that
will remain confidential, at least for some time.
Listed companies will need to report as required by the security regulators. Most petroleum companies
are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and will need report in compliance with the US Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and the Financial Accounting Board Standards (FASB). Mining
EGRC-8/2017/INF.8
companies are often reporting according to Canadian National Instrument 43-101 or one or more of the
internationally recognized mineral standards acceptable to the European Securities and Market Authority
(ESMA) shown in Appendix I.
More extensive information may need to be disclosed in conjunction with acquisitions, divestments and
mergers.
Information will normally be shared internally among stakeholders for decision purposes.
Finally information may find its way into the public domain in regular public communication.
We welcome the development of a reporting system that draws the numbers from a central inventory
and tracks the disclosures made by the information owner in an effort to keep the conversations about
the resources as factual as possible.
9 QUALITY ASSURANCE
The responsibility of reporting of quantities according to the UNFC-2009 inventories rests with the
organization or entity reporting the quantities.
Disclosure requirements, including the use of a Competent Person may be governed by a body, regulator
or authority in appropriate jurisdictions. The governance may at the national level be a Ministry or a
Commission mandated by the Government for this task. For financial reporting, the Stock Exchange
Commission or a banking sector regulator may govern these requirements. An individual body such as a
company may establish its own governance oversight answerable to an independent Board of Directors,
trustees or other stakeholders.
The reporting organization or entity may set up an internal control system to ensure that the estimates
are of sufficient quality to support the decisions and reporting requirements they are developed for.
An organization or entity will in general have asset teams that develop and maintain project descriptions
including the resource estimates. An internal control system may encompass all the critical assessments
made by the asset teams, including resource estimates.
The internal control system may include internal requirements with respect to:





How information is collected and safeguarded.
How records are kept.
How resource and other estimates are made and checked.
How resource accounts are monitored over time.
How the project information, including resource estimates are communicated.
It should also include an audit function, to be performed by a body independent of the asset that also may
be charged with aggregating information from several assets and producing aggregated reports.
The audit function can be an internal body reporting directly to the body in the organization carrying the
responsibility for reporting, usually the Board of Directors. It can also be, or contain input from, a third
party.
A third party audit may:

Audit the internal control system, and/or
19


Assess the functioning of the system by select reviews of assessments, or
Produce an independent assessment of the assets contributing critical elements to the UNFC2009 inventories.
The requirements for internal and external evaluators’ qualifications follow the UNFC-2009 guidance on
the subject (6) (7). This includes the use of licensed Competent Persons when this is required by the
users.
EGRC-8/2017/INF.8
10 APPENDIX I - INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED MINERAL STANDARDS
ACCEPTABLE TO THE EUROPEAN SECURITIES AND MARKET AUTHORITY (8)
For the purposes of meeting the exemption in paragraph 133(ii) above, predecessors of these following
reporting standards (Mining Reporting and Oil and Gas Reporting) are acceptable.
Mining Reporting
- The Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves
published by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy,
Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia, as amended (‘JORC’);
- The South African Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
published by the South African Mineral Resource Committee under the joint auspices of the Southern
African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Geological Society of South Africa, as amended
(‘SAMREC’);
- The various standards and guidelines published and maintained by the Canadian Institute of Mining,
Metallurgy and Petroleum (‘CIM Guidelines’), as amended;
- A Guide for Reporting Mineral Exploration Information, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
prepared by the US Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, as amended (‘SME’);
- The Pan European Resources Code jointly published by the UK Institute of Materials, Minerals, and
Mining, the European Federation of Geologists, the Geological Society, and the Institute of Geologists of
Ireland, as amended (‘PERC’);
- Certification Code for Exploration Prospects, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves as published by the
Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas de Chile, as amended; or
- Russian Code for the Public Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
prepared by the National Association for Subsoil Examination (NAEN) and the Society of Russian Experts
on Subsoil Use (OERN) (The ‘NAEN Code’)
Oil and Gas Reporting
- The Petroleum Resources Management System jointly published by the Society of Petroleum Engineers,
the World Petroleum Council, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Society of
Petroleum Evaluation Engineers, as amended;
- Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook prepared jointly by The Society of Petroleum Evaluation
Engineers and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum ("COGE Handbook") and
resources and reserves definitions contained in National Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for
Oil and Gas Activities; or
- Norwegian Petroleum Directorate classification system for resources and reserves.
Valuation
- The Code for Technical Assessment and Valuation of Mineral and Petroleum Assets and Securities for
Independent Expert Reports, prepared by a joint committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and
21
Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and the Mineral Industry Consultants Association, as
amended (‘VALMIN’);
- The South African Code for the Reporting of Mineral Asset Valuation, prepared by the South African
Mineral Valuation Committee under the joint auspices of the Southern African Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy and the Geological Society of South Africa, as amended (‘SAMVAL’);
- Standards and Guidelines for Valuation of Mineral Properties endorsed by the Canadian Institute of
Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, as amended (‘CIMVAL’)
11 REFERENCES
1. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. United Nations Framework Classification for Fssil
Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resource 2009 incoprporating Specifications for its Application. New
York and Geneva : United Nations , 2013. ECE Energy Series No. 42.
2. Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's resource classification
system 2016. 2016. p. 13. Report No. NPD-07-16.
3. Real Asset Valuation: A back to basics approach. Laughton, D, Gurrero, R and Lessard, D. Volume 20
Numbr 2 p46-65, s.l. : A Morgan Stanley Publication, 2008, Vol. Journal of Applied Corporate Finance.
4. Eppinger, Stephen D. and Browning, Tyson R. Design Structure Matrix Methods and Applications.
Cambridge, Massachusetts; London, England : The MIT Press, 2012. ISBN 978-262-01752-7.
5. Norwegian Petroleum Directorate. Reporting for the revised national budget 2017. [Online]
Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, August 31, 2016. [Cited: March 01, 2017.]
http://www.npd.no/en/reporting/national-budget/.
6. UN Economic and Social Council, Paper ECE/Energy/GE.3/2017/4. Draft Guidance Note to support
the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009
Specification for Evaluator Qualifications.
http://www.unece.org/energy/se/reserves.htmlhttp://www.unece.org/energy/se/reserves.html.
[Online] UN Economic Commission for Europe, February 17, 2017. [Cited: March 7, 2017.]
https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/energy/se/pp/unfc_egrc/egrc8_apr_2017/ECE.ENERGY.GE.3.20
17-4_e.pdf.
7. UN Economic and Social Council, Paper ECE/Energ/GE.3/2017/5. Draft Guidance Note on Competent
Person Requirements and Options for Resources Reporting.
https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/energy/se/pp/unfc_egrc/egrc8_apr_2017/ECE.ENERGY.GE.3.20
17-5_e.pdf. [Online] UN Econmic Commission for Europe, February 17, 2017. [Cited: March 7, 2017.]
https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/energy/se/pp/unfc_egrc/egrc8_apr_2017/ECE.ENERGY.GE.3.20
17-5_e.pdf.
8. European and Market Authority. Consultation Paper Further amendments to ESMA’s
Recommendations for the consistent implementation of the Prospectus Regulation regarding mineral
companies. https://www.esma.europa.eu/. [Online] European and Market Authority, March 20, 2013.
[Cited: March 3, 2017.] https://www.esma.europa.eu/sites/default/files/library/2015/11/2012-607.pdf.
EGRC-8/2017/INF.8
23. US Securities and Exchange Commission. Part II 17 CFR Parts 210,211 et al. - Modernization of Oil
and Gas Reporting; Final Rule. s.l. : National Archives and Records Administration, January 14, 2009.
https://www.sec.gov/rules/final/2009/33-8995fr.pdf.
24. United Nations Economic and Social Council. Draft guidance on accommodating environmental and
social considerations in the United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral
Reserves and Resources 2009. http://www.unece.org/energy/se/reserves.html. [Online] Economic
Commission for Europe, February 17, 2017. [Cited: March 4, 2017.]
https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/energy/se/pp/unfc_egrc/egrc8_apr_2017/ECE.ENEGRY.GE.3.20
17.6_EN.pdf.
12 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
CIM
Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum
CIMVAL
Standards and Guidance for Valuation of Mineral Properties endorsed by the
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, as amended
CRIRSCO
Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards
DSM
Design Structure Matrix Methods
E-axis
A collective term for E-categories
E-categories
E1, E2 and E3 designates the criteria of economic and social viability. E1 =
highest degree of viability. Sub-categories occur (e.g. E1.1)
ESMA
European Securities and Market Authority
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
F-axis
A collective term for F-categories
F-categories
F1, F2, F3, F4 designates the criteria of field project status and feasibility. F1=
the most mature project status. Sub-categories occur (e.g. F1.1)
G-axis
A collective term for G-categories
G-categories
G1, G2, G3 and G4 designates the level of confidence in the geological
knowledge and potential recoverability of the quantities. G1 = highest
degree of confidence. Sub-categories occur (e.g. G4.1)
JORC
Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee
LIFO
Last in first out
NAEN
Self-Regulating Organization “National Association for Subsoil Audit”
includes corporate members and an association of individual specialists
(OERN) Coordinates and financially supports the OERN activity for the
Russian Code development
23
NAEN code
The Russian Code for public reporting of exploration results, reserves and
resources of solid minerals (The NAEN Code)
NPD
Norwegian Petroleum Directorate
NPV
Net present value
PERC
Pan-European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee
PRMS
SPE/WPCAAPG/SPEE Petroleum Resources Management System of 2007
which has been endorsed by SPE, WPC, AAPG, SPEE and SEG (acronyms also
have to be explained)
SAMREC
The South African Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves published by the South African Mineral
Resource Committee under the joint auspices of the Southern African
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Geological Society of South
Africa, as amended
SAMVAL
The South African Code for the Reporting of Mineral Asset Valuation,
prepared by the South African Mineral Valuation Committee under the joint
auspices of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the
Geological Society of South Africa, as amended
SEC
US Securities and Exchange Commission
SME
Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc.
SPE
Society of Petroleum Engineers
UN
United Nations
UNECE
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
UNFC
United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral
Resources
UNFC-2009
United Nations Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral
Reserves and Resources 2009
VALMIN
The Code for Technical Assessment and Valuation of Mineral and
Petroleum Assets and Securities for Independent Expert Reports, prepared
by a joint committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and the Mineral Industry
Consultants Association, as amended.